New Local Law and footpath policy, master plans confirmed

Published on 23 March 2023

Council will invite public feedback on its new Local Law and Shire-wide Footpath Plan, while the long-term vision of key recreation reserves was also finalised at last night’s Scheduled Council Meeting.

Councillors endorsed master plans for the Kyneton Showgrounds, Romsey Park Sports Precinct and Gilbert Gordon Oval. These are informed by industry research, Council’s Sport and Active Recreation Strategy, and consultation with tenant clubs and the broader community throughout 2022 and 2023.

The master plans provide a long-term road map for the future development and improvement of these reserves in a pre-planned, strategic manner, with individual projects being subject to funding and detailed design.

Deputy Mayor Jennifer Anderson said: “I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to provide valuable input to these master plans, which will help us to be strategic and realistic in improving these reserves for participants of various user groups and the wider community.”

“Officers will continue to work with the reserve user groups planning the implementation of master plan items, subject to Council budget processes.”

View the final master plans for each of the above reserves(PDF, 224MB)

Councillors endorsed that the newly proposed Draft Community Local Law 2023(PDF, 1MB) go out to community consultation, following recent internal review.

Local Laws are renewed every 10 years, enabling councils to consider new issues and expectations while ensuring Local Laws remain valid and suited to the needs of the community.

Many of our existing laws remain unchanged in the proposed Draft Community Local Law, while improvements and additions to topics such as noxious weeds, fireworks and waste management are proposed, to better manage the changing needs of our community and environment.

Deputy Mayor Jennifer Anderson said: “Everyone should love where they live and feel safe within their community. Now is the chance to provide your feedback on what will become our own ‘community-specific’ enforceable laws for the next 10 years.”

Feedback is invited from 28 March through to 30 April 2023. More information will soon be available under the Have your say section.

Councillors endorsed that the new draft Shire-wide Footpath Plan go out to consultation, inviting feedback on the new criteria for prioritising walking and shared path upgrades and detailing construction designs across the Macedon Ranges.

The existing list of footpaths in the Shire-wide Footpath Plan is updated using the new prioritisation process and is presented for information.

Last adopted by Council in 2018, the revised plan aims to clarify footpath priorities and to provide better transparency around the design and location process, including more proactive communication to affected residents when Council is planning to construct new footpaths on their street.

Deputy Mayor Jennifer Anderson said: “Since this plan was adopted, Council has spent close to $4 million on the delivery of footpaths as part of our capital works.”

“This revised plan provides a clearer strategy to guide us on which of the already identified upgrades to prioritise, where budget allows, and how we propose to work with the community early on design options available.”

The Shire-wide Footpath Plan is one of several complementary plans created by Council to guide infrastructure delivery, with other plans under development including the Road Safety and Mobility Plan, and the Riddells Creek and Kyneton movement network studies.

Feedback is invited from 28 March through to 30 April 2023. More information will soon be available under the Have your say section.